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Difference between revisions of "2013 USAJMO Problems/Problem 1"
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Otherwise, either <math>a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9</math> or <math>a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9</math>.  Note that since <math>a^6b^6</math> is a perfect sixth power, and since neither <math>a</math> nor <math>b</math> contains a factor of <math>3</math>, <math>a^6b^6\equiv 1\pmod 9</math>.  If <math>a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9</math>, then <cmath>a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 5ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 2\pmod 9.</cmath>  Similarly, if <math>a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9</math>, then <cmath>a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 7ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 4\pmod 9.</cmath>  Therefore <math>ab^5+3\equiv 5,7\pmod 9</math>, contradiction.
 
Otherwise, either <math>a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9</math> or <math>a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9</math>.  Note that since <math>a^6b^6</math> is a perfect sixth power, and since neither <math>a</math> nor <math>b</math> contains a factor of <math>3</math>, <math>a^6b^6\equiv 1\pmod 9</math>.  If <math>a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9</math>, then <cmath>a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 5ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 2\pmod 9.</cmath>  Similarly, if <math>a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9</math>, then <cmath>a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 7ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 4\pmod 9.</cmath>  Therefore <math>ab^5+3\equiv 5,7\pmod 9</math>, contradiction.
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Therefore no such integers exist.
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==Solution 2==
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We shall prove that such integers do not exist via contradiction.
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Suppose that <math>a^5b + 3 = x^3</math> and <math>ab^5 + 3 = y^3</math> for integers a and b. Rearranging terms gives <math>a^5b = x^3 - 3</math> and <math>ab^5 = y^3 - 3</math>. Solving for a and b (by first multiplying the equations together and taking the sixth root) gives a = <math>(x^3 - 3)^\frac{5}{24} (y^3 - 3)^\frac{-1}{24}</math> and b = <math>(y^3 - 3)^\frac{5}{24} (x^3 - 3)^\frac{-1}{24}</math>. Consider a prime p in the prime factorization of <math>x^3 - 3</math> and <math>y^3 - 3</math>. If it has power r_1 in <math>x^3 - 3</math> and power r_2 in <math>y^3 - 3</math>, then 5r_1 - r_2 divides 24 and 5r_2 - r_1 also divides 24. Adding and subtracting the divisions gives that r_1 - r_2 divides 12. Because 5r_1 - r_2 also divides 12, 4r_1 divides 12 and thus r_1 divides 3. Repeating this trick for all primes in <math>x^3 - 3</math>, we see that <math>x^3 - 3</math> is a perfect cube, say <math>q^3</math>. Then <math>x^3 - q^3 = 3,</math> and $(x-q)(x^2 + xq + q^2) = 3, so that x - q = 1 and x^2 + xq + q^2 = 3. Clearly, this system of equations has no integer solutions for x or q, a contradiction, hence completing the proof.
  
 
Therefore no such integers exist.
 
Therefore no such integers exist.
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 12:40, 16 March 2014

Problem

Are there integers $a$ and $b$ such that $a^5b+3$ and $ab^5+3$ are both perfect cubes of integers?

Solution

No, such integers do not exist. This shall be proven by contradiction, by showing that if $a^5b+3$ is a perfect cube then $ab^5+3$ cannot be.

Remark that perfect cubes are always congruent to $0$, $1$, or $-1$ modulo $9$. Therefore, if $a^5b+3\equiv 0,1,\text{ or} -1\pmod{9}$, then $a^5b\equiv 5,6,\text{ or }7\pmod{9}$.

If $a^5b\equiv 6\pmod 9$, then note that $3|b$. (This is because if $3|a$ then $a^5b\equiv 0\pmod 9$.) Therefore $ab^5\equiv 0\pmod 9$ and $ab^5+3\equiv 3\pmod 9$, contradiction.

Otherwise, either $a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9$ or $a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9$. Note that since $a^6b^6$ is a perfect sixth power, and since neither $a$ nor $b$ contains a factor of $3$, $a^6b^6\equiv 1\pmod 9$. If $a^5b\equiv 5\pmod 9$, then \[a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 5ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 2\pmod 9.\] Similarly, if $a^5b\equiv 7\pmod 9$, then \[a^6b^6\equiv (a^5b)(ab^5)\equiv 7ab^5\equiv 1\pmod 9\implies ab^5\equiv 4\pmod 9.\] Therefore $ab^5+3\equiv 5,7\pmod 9$, contradiction.

Therefore no such integers exist.

Solution 2

We shall prove that such integers do not exist via contradiction. Suppose that $a^5b + 3 = x^3$ and $ab^5 + 3 = y^3$ for integers a and b. Rearranging terms gives $a^5b = x^3 - 3$ and $ab^5 = y^3 - 3$. Solving for a and b (by first multiplying the equations together and taking the sixth root) gives a = $(x^3 - 3)^\frac{5}{24} (y^3 - 3)^\frac{-1}{24}$ and b = $(y^3 - 3)^\frac{5}{24} (x^3 - 3)^\frac{-1}{24}$. Consider a prime p in the prime factorization of $x^3 - 3$ and $y^3 - 3$. If it has power r_1 in $x^3 - 3$ and power r_2 in $y^3 - 3$, then 5r_1 - r_2 divides 24 and 5r_2 - r_1 also divides 24. Adding and subtracting the divisions gives that r_1 - r_2 divides 12. Because 5r_1 - r_2 also divides 12, 4r_1 divides 12 and thus r_1 divides 3. Repeating this trick for all primes in $x^3 - 3$, we see that $x^3 - 3$ is a perfect cube, say $q^3$. Then $x^3 - q^3 = 3,$ and $(x-q)(x^2 + xq + q^2) = 3, so that x - q = 1 and x^2 + xq + q^2 = 3. Clearly, this system of equations has no integer solutions for x or q, a contradiction, hence completing the proof.

Therefore no such integers exist. The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

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